At least 200 people showed up at the gymnasium of Fleetwood Park Secondary school in Surrey tonight for a community forum on Syrian refugees.

Many Surrey residents say they were drawn to the forum because they want to help, but don’t know how – while others came to hear officials provide a snapshot of the current resettlement effort.

Mayor Linda Hepner says one of BC’s six reception centers is at the Sandman Hotel in Guildford.

“There are more than 80 children right now being housed in that hotel. Every parent that I spoke to said we are anxious to learn the customs, to learn the language, to speak English, to have our kids in a school.”

The Immigrant Services Society of B.C. says 61% of all refugees coming to the province are under the age of 18.